Replies

    • Believe what you will.... Will Smith had just returned from injury during the season and it coincided to the form slump of the team, JA was chosen a few times ahead of Will which didn't sit too well with certain players. These players thought having Will play halfback gave them a better chance at winning. From then on Will Smith was marked to be moved on from the coaching staff.

      • THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS WORRIED ABOUT

      • do you have inside info or just making shit up?

        • Making crap up.  The team was excited for JA and thought he deserved a game or 2 due to work on off the field and form in reserve grade.

          BA was not going to include him as he was worried as a father it could hinder his sons career and he wasn't ready so he let other coaches and leadership group make the call.

          JA played ok for young player on debut.  He will never be superstar but plenty of good halfbacks had similar early games to him.  Few defensive errors, not many runs but solid kicking game and direct team around the park like he was supposed to.

          • Yes they were excited during the Warriors game when he debuted.

            The excitement quickly faded when we lost to Manly and Souths in the subsequent games. After the Manly game is was obvious he was a liability. It was obvious to most of us after this game that Will Smith would be a safer option, or even Rankin. 

          • Yes the team thought a game or two would be great but he did play more and that's were the problem lies.

            • Exactly correct. 

              None of us had a problem with him being picked for the Warriors game. 

              We had a problem with him being picked against good teams like Manly, Souths, Roosters, Raiders etc

              We lost those games and it cost us a top 4 spot and eventually our season. 

              • This reply was deleted.
                • Is that what happened with joey at Newcastle, someone gave him crack?

          • JA is one cool customer, has anyone seen the video of him dancing with two blondes in a hotel room? JA was drunk as a skunk and his hands were all over, literally. He's growing on me the young lad lol

      • That sounds a lot like bullshit to me!

This reply was deleted.

More stuff to read

GM replied to ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER's discussion Cant wait for 2026 season start
"Huh ?"
1 minute ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Isaiah Iongi: Coming Out Of His Shell
"Yeah that is interesting.
Sure the club know what they're doing but seems odd for a fullback, doesn't it? Maybe it was load management as he had to step straight into full time 1st grade (80mins per week)?
 "
20 minutes ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Isaiah Iongi: Coming Out Of His Shell
"Very good point here, Bluey. 
 
HOE,
 
I’m sure most are with you in that the negativity can be draining at times, but, the ‘poo throwing’ is nothing new? Unfortunately there’ll always be that element on social media, I guess?! 
 
Jake Arthur, Waqa…"
27 minutes ago
Blue Eel replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Isaiah Iongi: Coming Out Of His Shell
"A good question for all to answer."
1 hour ago
More…